Virginia Action

Tag Update

Healthcare Bills Update 2/7

HEALTHCARE

OPPOSE – CALL TO ACTION

OPPOSE: HB1724 – Medicinal Price Setting

STATUS: This bill will be voted on in the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee on Monday afternoon, 2/10, in Senate Room A.

This bill would create a Prescription Drug Affordability Board. Under this proposed legislation, the Board will be given authority to limit drug payment amounts and reimbursements to an upper payment limit amount for state sponsored and state regulated health plans, directly opposed to free market principles.

Please contact these Senators and tell them to VOTE NO on HB1724!

Senate Committee: Commerce and LaborDistrictPhoneEmail
Chair: Senator R. Creigh Deeds (D)11(804) 698-7511[email protected]
Senator Lamont Bagby (D)14(804) 698-7514[email protected]
Senator Bill DeSteph (R)20(804) 698-7520[email protected]
Senator Adam P. Ebbin (D)39(804) 698-7539[email protected]
Senator Mamie E. Locke (D)23(804) 698-7523[email protected]
Senator L. Louise Lucas (D)18(804) 698-7518[email protected]
Senator Ryan T. McDougle (R)26(804) 698-7526[email protected]
Senator David W. Marsden (D)35(804) 698-7535[email protected]
Senator Jeremy S. McPike (D)29(804) 698-7529[email protected]
Senator Mark D. Obenshain (R)2(804) 698-7502[email protected]
Senator Mark J. Peake (R)8(804) 698-7508[email protected]
Senator Bryce E. Reeves (R)28(804) 698-7528[email protected]
Senator Aaron R. Rouse (D)22(804) 698-7522[email protected]
Senator William M. Stanley, Jr. (R)7(804) 698-7507[email protected]
Senator Scott A. Surovell (D)34(804) 698-7534[email protected]

BILL UPDATES – OPPOSE

OPPOSE: HB1552 – Certificate of Public Need Exemption for Critical Hospitals

STATUS: This bill was passed in the Senate Education and Health Committee and will now be sent to the Senate floor.

This bill would further entrench Virginia in the problems caused by the Certificate of Public Need program. It would allow certain hospitals, defined as critical access hospitals, to receive an exemption from COPN. This interference in the market place would cause inequity and continue to allow hospitals to choose winners and losers in the market of medical services. 

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Education Bills Update 2/7

EDUCATION

BILLS UPDATE – SUPPORT

SUPPORT: SB1014 – Department of Human Resource Management; hiring on the basis of direct experience.

STATUS: This bill passed the House General Laws Committee and is headed to the House floor for a vote.

This bill restricts agencies from requiring a college degree in the hiring of state employees unless the job were to actually require it.

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Regulatory Reform Bills Update 2/5

REGULATORY REFORM

BILL UPDATE – OPPOSE

OPPOSE: HB2094 – High-risk artificial intelligence regulation

STATUS: STATUS: This bill passed the House yesterday, 2/4 and has been moved to the Senate.

This bill creates requirements for the development, deployment, and use of certain artificial intelligence systems, defined in the bill, and civil penalties for noncompliance. If adopted, this bill would establish considerable heavy handed regulations on AI development and use including requiring AI to be trained on what appears to be DEI standards. This bill Takes effect July 2026 with enforcement through the Attorney General.

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Healthcare Bills Update 2/5

HEALTHCARE

BILL UPDATES – SUPPORT

SUPPORT: HB2119 – Medical Desert Healthcare Access and Expedited Review

STATUS: This bill passed unanimously yesterday, 2/4, on the House floor.

This bill creates a process for expedited certificate of public need review in medical desert areas, defined as locations with no healthcare facility within 15-30 miles, less than one primary care physician per 3,500 residents, high poverty rates, or federal Health Professional Shortage Area designation. The Commissioner must issue determinations within 120 days of application submission, streamlining approval processes to expand healthcare access in underserved communities.

Click here to view more “Recent Updates”

Election Bills Update 2/5

ELECTIONS

BILL UPDATES – OPPOSE

OPPOSE: HB1657 – Voter List Maintenance Timing

STATUS: This bill was passed yesterday, 2/4, on the House floor.

Requires certain list maintenance programs that remove ineligible voters to be completed 90 days before any primary or general election, extending the current requirement that certain list maintenance programs (like address updates at large scale) cannot be completed within 90 days before a general election. Because Virginia has frequent elections, this bill proposes changes that would impede voter list accuracy. 

OPPOSE: HB2002 – Voter Registration Cancellation Data Sources

STATUS: This bill was passed yesterday, 2/4, on the House floor.

This bill limits voter registration cancellations to data provided only by the Department of Elections or state-approved agencies, inhibiting our general registrars ability to maintain an accurate registered voter list.

OPPOSE: HB2277 – Compelled Election Results Certification

STATUS: This bill was passed yesterday, 2/4, on the House floor.

Imposes $1,000 civil penalty on electoral board members who refuse to certify results. This impedes their ability to serve properly as an electoral board member, oversee elections and use their best judgment to certify elections. 

OPPOSE – KILLED

OPPOSE: HB2057 – Automatic Voter Registration Expansion

STATUS: This bill was killed because it didn’t make it out of committee before the crossover deadline. The bill’s patron discussed working on the bill with another committee member of a different party and bringing it back next year.

Expands automatic voter registration to include hunting/fishing license applicants, concealed handgun permit applicants, and milk distributor license applicants. Maintains citizenship verification requirements. 

BILL UPDATES – SUPPORT

SUPPORT: HB2513 – Voter Registration Cancellation Notice Process

STATUS: This bill was passed yesterday, 2/4, on the House floor.

Requires registrars to use DMV data to update vote records and mail cancellation notices to both new and old addresses when available for voters who have moved, as indicated by DMV data. 

Click here to view more “Recent Updates”

Education Bills Update 2/5

EDUCATION

OPPOSE – KILLED

OPPOSE: SB979 – Delayed Implementation of New Public School Accountability System

STATUS: This bill was killed on the Senate floor on 2/4.

This bill directs the Department of Education to delay for one year the implementation of the revised public school accountability system adopted recently by the State Board of Education after robust research and discussion.

SUPPORT – KILLED

SUPPORT: HB2231 – Virginia Opportunity Scholarships

STATUS: This bill did not make it out of the House Appropriations Committee before the Crossover deadline.

The Virginia Opportunity Scholarship program is designed to give students greater access to learning opportunities that best meet their needs. 10,000 eligible K-12 students can receive $5,000 per academic year. This program is for Virginia students whose household income does not exceed $81,120 for a family of four. This scholarship puts money directly into families’ hands for expenses of attending an accredited private school in Virginia including, tuition, transportation, books, and other qualified educational expenses— such as summer school programs— so families can access the opportunities that work best for their child.

SUPPORT: HB2373 – Parents’ Rights in Education

STATUS: This bill did not make it out of the House Education Committee before the Crossover deadline.

Defends clear parental rights in public education, empowering parents to review curriculum, opt out of explicit content, know their child’s instructors, access school records, control data sharing, make medical decisions, and stay informed of counseling services. Strengthens parental oversight of their children’s education while limiting institutional overreach.

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Healthcare Bills Update 2/4

HEALTHCARE

SUPPORT – CALL TO ACTION

SUPPORT: HB2119 – Medical Desert Healthcare Access and Expedited Review

STATUS: This bill is on the House Third Reading Calendar TODAY, 2/4, and is expected to receive a floor vote.

This bill creates a process for expedited certificate of public need review in medical desert areas, defined as locations with no healthcare facility within 15-30 miles, less than one primary care physician per 3,500 residents, high poverty rates, or federal Health Professional Shortage Area designation. The Commissioner must issue determinations within 120 days of application submission, streamlining approval processes to expand healthcare access in underserved communities.

Find your Delegate’s contact information HERE and ask them to VOTE YES on HB2119!

BILL UPDATES – SUPPORT

SUPPORT: HB1904 – Nursery service provider expansion

STATUS: This bill passed on the House floor yesterday, 2/3. It will now be sent to the Senate and will be assigned to a Senate committee.

Expands healthcare access by allowing qualified nurse midwives and pediatric nurse practitioners to provide newborn nursery coverage when physicians are unavailable, with appropriate training requirements. Enables telehealth consultation options while maintaining quality standards and safety protocols. This reduces regulatory barriers and increases healthcare provider options, particularly benefiting rural areas with physician shortages.

SUPPORT: SB1203 – Medical Desert Healthcare Access and Expedited Review

STATUS: This bill was on the Senate Second Reading Calendar yesterday, 2/3. It was read for the second time and was also read for the third time and passed on the Senate floor. It will now be sent to the House and will be assigned to a House committee.

This bill creates a process for expedited certificate of public need review in medical desert areas, defined as locations with no healthcare facility within 15-30 miles, less than one primary care physician per 3,500 residents, high poverty rates, or federal Health Professional Shortage Area designation. The Commissioner must issue determinations within 120 days of application submission, streamlining approval processes to expand healthcare access in underserved communities.

Click here to view more “Recent Updates”

Election Bills Update 2/4

ELECTIONS

OPPOSE – CALL TO ACTION

OPPOSE: HB1657 – Voter List Maintenance Timing

STATUS: This bill is on the House Third Reading Calendar TODAY, 2/4, and is expected to receive a floor vote.

Requires certain list maintenance programs that remove ineligible voters to be completed 90 days before any primary or general election, extending the current requirement that certain list maintenance programs (like address updates at large scale) cannot be completed within 90 days before a general election. Because Virginia has frequent elections, this bill proposes changes that would impede voter list accuracy. 

Find your Delegate’s contact information HERE and ask them to VOTE NO on HB1657!

OPPOSE: HB2002 – Voter Registration Cancellation Data Sources

STATUS: This bill is on the House Third Reading Calendar TODAY, 2/4, and is expected to receive a floor vote.

This bill limits voter registration cancellations to data provided only by the Department of Elections or state-approved agencies, inhibiting our general registrars ability to maintain an accurate registered voter list.

Find your Delegate’s contact information HERE and ask them to VOTE NO on HB2002!

OPPOSE: HB2277 – Compelled Election Results Certification

STATUS: This bill is on the House Third Reading Calendar TODAY, 2/4, and is expected to receive a floor vote.

Imposes $1,000 civil penalty on electoral board members who refuse to certify results. This impedes their ability to serve properly as an electoral board member, oversee elections and use their best judgment to certify elections. 

Find your Delegate’s contact information HERE and ask them to VOTE NO on HB2277!

SUPPORT – CALL TO ACTION

SUPPORT: HB2513 – Voter Registration Cancellation Notice Process

STATUS: This bill is on the House Third Reading Calendar TODAY, 2/4, and is expected to receive a floor vote.

Requires registrars to use DMV data to update vote records and mail cancellation notices to both new and old addresses when available for voters who have moved, as indicated by DMV data. 

Find your Delegate’s contact information HERE and ask them to VOTE YES on HB2513!

BILL UPDATES – OPPOSE

OPPOSE: SB1009 – Ranked Choice Voting Expansion for Localities

STATUS: This bill passed on the Senate floor yesterday, 2/3, with a party line vote of 21-19. This bill will now be sent to the House and will be assigned to a Committee.

Expands ranked choice voting options for all local offices, despite this method of voting being riddled with problems that disenfranchise voters. Currently, any Virginia locality is allowed to use Ranked Choice Voting for City Council and Board of Supervisor elections, but not any other election; we oppose expansion in any form. This bill also requires localities to receive state approval on feasibility before implementation. 

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Election Bills Update 2/3

ELECTIONS

OPPOSE – CALL TO ACTION

OPPOSE: SB1009 – Ranked Choice Voting Expansion for Localities

STATUS: This bill is on the Senate Third Reading Calendar TODAY, 2/3, and is expected to receive a floor vote.

Expands ranked choice voting options for all local offices, despite this method of voting being riddled with problems that disenfranchise voters. Currently, any Virginia locality is allowed to use Ranked Choice Voting for City Council and Board of Supervisor elections, but not any other election; we oppose expansion in any form. This bill also requires localities to receive state approval on feasibility before implementation. 

Find your Senator’s contact information HERE and ask them to VOTE NO on SB1009!

OPPOSE: HB1657 – Voter List Maintenance Timing

STATUS: This bill will be voted on for the 2nd Reading TODAY, 2/3 on the House floor and is expected to be on the House Third Reading Calendar tomorrow and receive a floor vote.

Requires certain list maintenance programs that remove ineligible voters to be completed 90 days before any primary or general election, extending the current requirement that certain list maintenance programs (like address updates at large scale) cannot be completed within 90 days before a general election. Because Virginia has frequent elections, this bill proposes changes that would impede voter list accuracy. 

Find your Delegate’s contact information HERE and ask them to VOTE NO on HB1657!

OPPOSE: HB2002 – Voter Registration Cancellation Data Sources

STATUS: This bill will be voted on for the 2nd Reading TODAY, 2/3 on the House floor and is expected to be on the House Third Reading Calendar tomorrow and receive a floor vote.

This bill limits voter registration cancellations to data provided only by the Department of Elections or state-approved agencies, inhibiting our general registrars ability to maintain an accurate registered voter list.

Find your Delegate’s contact information HERE and ask them to VOTE NO on HB2002!

OPPOSE: HB2277 – Compelled Election Results Certification

STATUS: This bill will be voted on for the 2nd Reading TODAY, 2/3 on the House floor and is expected to be on the House Third Reading Calendar tomorrow and receive a floor vote.

Imposes $1,000 civil penalty on electoral board members who refuse to certify results. This impedes their ability to serve properly as an electoral board member, oversee elections and use their best judgment to certify elections. 

Find your Delegate’s contact information HERE and ask them to VOTE NO on HB2277!

SUPPORT – CALL TO ACTION

SUPPORT: HB2513 – Voter Registration Cancellation Notice Process

STATUS: This bill will be voted on for the 2nd Reading TODAY, 2/3 on the House floor and is expected to be on the House Third Reading Calendar tomorrow and receive a floor vote.

Requires registrars to use DMV data to update vote records and mail cancellation notices to both new and old addresses when available for voters who have moved, as indicated by DMV data. 

Find your Delegate’s contact information HERE and ask them to VOTE YES on HB2513!

BILL UPDATES – SUPPORT

SUPPORT: SB1044 – Election Results Reporting for Absentee and Provisional Ballots

STATUS: This bill passed in the Senate on Friday, 1/31. It will now be sent to the House to be assigned to a Committee.

This bill enhances election transparency by requiring detailed reporting of absentee and provisional ballot results. General registrars must separately report early in-person voting results from other absentee ballots and Election Day voting. Results must be posted no later than 5:00 p.m. on the tenth day after election day, ensuring timely and transparent reporting of all ballot types while maintaining systematic verification processes.

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Regulatory Reform Bills Update 1/31

REGULATORY REFORM

BILL UPDATES – SUPPORT

SUPPORT: SB932 – Accessory Dwelling Unit Zoning Standardization

STATUS: This bill passed the Senate yesterday, 1/30 and will now be sent to the House.

This bill establishes statewide standards for accessory dwelling units (ADUs), promoting housing flexibility by requiring localities to permit ADUs in single-family residential zones. The legislation balances local regulatory needs with homeowner rights, creating a streamlined process for ADU development while maintaining reasonable restrictions on size, location, and occupancy to protect neighborhood characteristics and property values.

SUPPORT – KILLED

SUPPORT: HB1555 – Healthcare Sand Box

STATUS: This bill was killed in the House Health and Human Services Committee yesterday, 1/30.

Requires the Department of Health to establish the Health Care Regulatory Sandbox Program to enable a person to obtain limited access to the market in the Commonwealth to temporarily test an innovative health care product or service on a limited basis. 

Click here to view more “Recent Updates”